The Chargers decision makers acknowledged the team had an abundance of holes to fill this offseason.

And, while questions still remain, especially regarding a defense that must get better, the team has largely accomplished that task over the past two weeks.

During the current lull in activity, it is a good time to look back at the signings that commenced even before wide receiver Vincent Jackson’s official departure hours into the free agency period March 13.

Beginning with the signing of inside linebacker Demorrio Williams after he was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers added eight players and retained four others.

Those 12 players combined to consume $21.7 million in 2012 cap space.

It is simplifying things too much to point out that the Chargers fit four offensive starters and part of a fifth into Jackson’s cap number. But doing so illustrates what the team felt it had to do.

As Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith explained on a conference call with season ticket holders Friday: “You cannot pay all of your great players contracts. Because over time, if you did, you couldn't pay anybody else.”

Assessing who did well in free agency in its immediate aftermath is only slightly less asinine than grading a draft the day after it ends.

Yes, the players brought in are veterans. But we have no idea how they’ll respond to new coaching, take to new teammates or how much they have left in the tank.

It is not making too big of an assumption to believe many of the same people opining (positively or negatively) on the Chargers’ free agent haul were among those joining the almost-universal pronouncement that the Philadelphia Eagles' 2011 free agent class was among the best ever. All that seemingly impressive group has done so far is go 8-8 last season.

The verdict on the work that Smith, et al, did over the past week-plus won’t be in until after next season. Remember, many of the same people calling for Smith’s head in December were praising his free agent signings in July.

Is the loss of Jackson truly mitigated by the signing of Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal? Will Jared Gaither play for 16 games in 2012 like he did for five in 2011? Is Le’Ron McClain the second coming of Lorenzo Neal? Does 31-year-old Jarret Johnson’s toughness and tenacity help make a defensive front dominant?

We simply do not know.

What is indisputable is that Smith (and Vice President Ed McGuire, who negotiates all contracts and makes everything fit under the salary cap) got necessary parts at excellent value.

Meachem ($3.375 million), Royal ($3 million), McClain ($1.833 million), Nick Hardwick ($3 million) and Jared Gaither ($3 million) count a combined $14.2 million against the cap – just $1.2 million more than what Jackson will count for Tampa Bay.

While comparing cap numbers of individual players on different teams is like comparing plums and peaches, it can give an idea what a team was trying to accomplish.

Again, whether the Chargers were sensible or cheap, whether they were savvy or misguided, remains to be seen. But what they fit into the confines of less than a $22 million cap figure is remarkable.

The Chargers signed Johnson to provide attitude and fortitude as an outside linebacker. Johnson is who they targeted despite the presence of Mario Williams on the market. Williams got a $19 million signing bonus from the Buffalo Bills, a $5.9 million base salary and $100,000 workout bonus. His cap number this year is $9.8 million. Johnson got a $6 million signing bonus and $1 million base salary. He will count $2.5 million against the cap. All told, the Chargers’ five outside linebackers carry $14 million in cap weight.

While still considering their safety options in the draft, the Chargers did get a veteran to replace Steve Gregory -- a player the team’s brass thinks is at least as good at half the price. Gregory’s three-year deal was for a possible $8.05 million, and his ’12 cap number is $1.683 million. Atari Bigby signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal, and his cap number this year is $850,000.

The Chargers got a backup quarterback they’re familiar with for a little over a third of what that position was going to cost them. But if Charlie Whitehurst has to play, will the $2.25 cap savings over Billy Volek be worth it?

Like everything else, we’ll see.

Don’t forget, too, the Chargers are trying to position themselves for 2013.

It is not known what the cap will be in 2013, but it is expected to grow substantially as the money from the league’s new TV deals kicks in. As of now, the Chargers have almost $98 million committed toward the 2013 cap, less than all but 12 teams.

They’d prefer to not be in the position with guards Tyronne Green and Louis Vasquez next spring that they were in this year with Gaither or last year with Jeromey Clary – that is, having to pay a premium because they had competition on the open market.

The Chargers could also open extension talks with cornerback Antoine Cason, defensive end Vaughn Martin and linebacker Antwan Barnes.

All five of the above-mentioned players are entering the final year of their contract.